Monthly Archives: May 2012

The Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) has decided to equip its 1000 state transport buses with GPS devices. The installation process has begun from Tuesday. This system will not only enable the authorities to keep a track on the long-distance buses but will also facilitate them to curb diesel pilferage which has been a big concern since it was increasing with the RSRTC buses.

With installation of the GPS, travel with the long-distance buses of RSRTC would be more convenient thus system would be connected with the public information system (PIS).

As in railways, passengers waiting at the central bus stand, Jaipur, can now listen to the regular announcement of the exact time of arrival of the buses.

Advantages of GPS

– Passengers can see the movement of the buses and their positions on the web portal of RSRTC

– In case the driver is exceeding the permissible speed limit, it would be known to the control room of RSRTC. Defaulting drivers would be warned over phone to control the speed

– In case of any accident the information would be noticed by the control room and thus officials can act promptly in such emergencies.

With the sliding rupee making overseas travel 15-30% costlier, local hotspots have become favoured destinations for most Indian tourists this holiday season.

As the domestic currency oscillated between Rs. 52 to 56 against the US dollar over the past month, the volatility forced Indian tourists to either postpone their vacation overseas or choose less costly domestic destinations. In some cases, people have shortened their foreign trips, travel experts said.

A broad cross-section of tourists is bearing the brunt of the falling rupee as they made travel plans well in advance. Last one month’s trend show a flat or small growth in outbound tourism. The demand has not really taken off considering this is the peak season. The change in behavioral pattern, due to rupee fall, is basically seen among the lower and the middle class of Indians.

They have either postponed their travel plans or are choosing destinations within India. Places like Kerala, Goa and Rajasthan are popular. Domestic 20-25% shift is seen.

As per trends observed, domestic travel bookings have seen 20-25% rise especially since those who plan vacation on tight budgets are doing extensive research to figure out the best possible and less-costly holiday destination.

Many of those choosing Rajasthan prefer richer experience in terms of facilities. Indians who have shifted to spending holiday within the country have upgraded their travel for richer experience… So Indians are booking five star hotels and resorts where they can enjoy the luxury and leisure for the same budget they had decided to do spend on foreign trip.

Many travel websites are offering good discounts for hotel bookings. Travelers could either opt for better clubbed deals or look at short-haul destinations instead of long-haul ones to optimize their holiday budgets.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan is offering a great deal on small and long holiday packages with special offers and extensions. Now, what’s keeping you at bay? Plan for an amazing pocket friendly trip to Rajasthan and surprise your family with an unforgettable holiday experience.

Only the rare passenger flies without carrying at least one piece of carry-on baggage, and many have to check one or more pieces of luggage as well. While there is always the risk of having items lost, misplaced, stolen, or damaged, many of the common risks can be reduced, avoided, or eliminated with a little bit of planning. The following pieces of advice provide some basic information on how to deal with many of the more common baggage related issues.

A reasonable approach to carry-on baggage is keep in mind three things: think small, think smart, and think safe. Keep in mind the following points when you pack and you will likely avoid any problems with your carry-on baggage while you are on the aircraft

Think Small

The maximum size carry-on bag for most airlines is 45 linear inches (the total of the height, width, and depth of the bag). Anything larger should be checked.

No oversize packages or luggage can be stowed on-board. Stow only your essentials (such as prescriptions, personal hygiene items, passports and other documentation) and valuable items, such as jewelry or cameras, in your carry-on bag.

Think Smart

Plan to check more of your baggage and carry less with you in the cabin.
Check with your airline before packing to determine its carry-on guidelines regarding the number of items you may carry and the maximum size of those items.
Keep valuable or hard to replace items like money, jewelry, computers, computer data, and important papers with you in carry-on baggage and not in checked baggage.
In certain situations the airline may require most or even all of your bags to be checked, so be prepared to do so.

Think Safe

Carry-on items which may fall from overhead bins can injure you or other passengers during flight or in the event of an emergency evacuation. Stow heavy items under the seat in front of you, not overhead. Don’t stack items in the overhead storage bin. If an emergency evacuation is necessary, leave your carry-on items on the plane. Retrieving personal items may impede the safe evacuation of passengers. Remember, be safety conscious be when stowing your carry-on items.

Think Healthy

Make sure that you keep items critical to your health and well being with you in the cabin and not in checked baggage.
If travel with eyeglasses or sunglasses, make sure your have a sturdy eyeglass case for each pair to protect them while they are in your carry-on or in another bag in the overhead bin.

Arrange for some special medical needs. Remember that if you need something for medical reasons, in most cases you will be allowed to take it with you in your carry on baggage, even if it is one of the items normally prohibited in the cabin.
If you are a diabetic, make sure you pack with you medical supplies, emergency snacks, and other items that diabetics should carry when traveling.

Enjoy the trouble free Journey by remembering these special measures and practices! Bon Voyage

The town of Sambhar, an International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) Wetlands Ramsar site, which was slowly losing its heritage, now has a master plan that has been recently approved by the Rajasthan government. The master plan for Sambhar is specifically designed to combat ecological threats by controlling unregulated salt industry and stabilizing ecology, while establishing guidelines to restore the architectural and religious heritage of the town.

All historical and heritage monuments in Sambhar would be documented and there is a proposal to prepare a separate conservation plan. Area around Devyani and Sharmishta sarovar is proposed to be declared as a special heritage conservation zone that would be conserved and developed for tourism.

Now Rajasthan would soon have one more beautifully developed heritage destination for the travel aficionados.

After traditional welcome, complete your registration formalities and proceed to board the train.
Dinner on board.

DAY 02: (Sunday) Ajanta Caves

Visit the world heritage site of Ajanta :
Marvel the rock cut caves dating back to 2nd Century B.C. with their exquisite frescoes and sculptures.

DAY 03: (Monday) Udaipur

Admire the magnificent landscape as you arrive into Udaipur. Visit the City Palace and Crystal Gallery. Experience traditional hospitality over lunch at an exclusive venue and later proceed for an optional walking tour through the colourful and vibrant Old Market or visit the Vintage car collection of the royal family or enjoy an enthralling Sound and Light show in the Palace.

DAY 04: (Tuesday) Jodhpur

A ride through countryside brings you to Jodhpur. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old Clock Tower Market and continue to the majestic Ivlehrangark Fort. Later, savour dinner at an exclusive venue. Enjoy visit to a local village as a optional activity.

DAY 05: (Wednesday) Bikaner

Arrive at the desert kingdom of Bikaner.
Take an optional excursion to Deshnok (Rat Temple) or Lalgark Palace Museum or Camel breeding Farm or shop for Kundan Jewellery. In the afternoon visit the unassailable fortress of Junagarh.
Participate in a camel-cart procession followed by sunclowner cocktails, barbecue and folk performance on the sand dunes.

DAY 06: (Thursday) Jaipur

The ‘Pink City of Jaipur welcomes you with an exhibition elephant polo match and champagne lunch at an exclusive venue. Thereafter, proceed for visit to the impregnable Amber Fort followed by free time for optional activities-shopping/Spa/Golfing/visit to City Palace.

DAY 07: (Friday) Ranthambore – Fatehpur Sikri

Embark on an exciting game drive into the Ranthambore National Park. Continue the journey to see the fascinating royal court complex of Fatehpur Sikri.

DAY 08: (Saturday) Agra

Disembark in Agra – Proceed for an early morning visit to the exquisite Taj Mahal followed by champagne breakfast. Continue to Delhi as your journey comes to an end.

For the convenience of passengers during 800th Khwaja Urs fair at Ajmer, IRCTC will run “Urs Special” from Udaipur to Ajmer and back.

The Train No. 09615 to depart from Ajmer on 27 May at 12.30 am and will reach Udaipur at 5.30 am. Similarly on the return, Train No. 09616 will depart from Udaipur at 4.30 pm and will reach Ajmer at 10 pm.

The annual celebration at the Dargah or tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja Muinuddin Chisti, in Ajmer will be observed with great fervor from June03 to 09 this year. The celebrations continue for six days, commencing with the hoisting of a white flag on the tomb by the Sajdanashin.